The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



seen, a suitable bed must be prepared, whether the seed be sown 

 there or plants be transferred from other quarters. 



Asters do not readily accommodate themselves to violent alterna- 

 tions of heat and cold, particularly in the early stage of growth, 

 and therefore the most sheltered position in the garden should be 

 chosen for them; but avoid a hedge or shrubbery, where strong- 

 growing trees rob the soil of its virtue. Begin the preparation of 

 beds during the previous autumn by deep digging, and incorporate 

 a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure as the work proceeds. On 

 light and shallow soils it will do more harm than good to bring the 

 raw subsoil to the surface, but the subsoil may with advantage be 

 stirred and loosened by the fork, and if a little loamy clay or even 

 pure clay in small portions can be worked into it, the land will be 

 permanently benefited. 



A very stiff soil will, however, present greater difficulties ; but if 

 by free working it can be made sufficiently friable, Asters will revel 

 in it, and produce flowers of a size and colour that will reward the 

 cultivator for all his trouble. Throw the ground up roughly in 

 October. The more it is exposed to the action of wind, snow and 

 frost, the more thoroughly will the winter disintegrate its particles 

 and render it fertile. Early in spring give another digging, and then 

 work in a good supply of decayed manure, together with grit, charcoal, 

 wood ashes, or other material that will help to render the soil rich 

 and free. Aim at inducing the roots to go down deep for supplies 

 there will then be a cool moist bottom even in dry weather, and these 

 conditions will do much toward the production of fine stocky plants 

 capable of carrying an imposing display of flowers. 



For sowings from the end of March to the middle of April prepare 

 a compost consisting principally of decayed leaf-mould, with sufficient 

 loam to render it firm, and sharp sand to secure drainage. Either 

 pots or seed-pans may be used. Place these in a cool greenhouse, or 

 in a Cucumber or Melon pit, or even on a half-spent hot-bed. Sow 

 thinly ; a thick sowing is very likely to damp off. Just hide the seed 

 with finely sifted soil, and place sheets of glass at the top to prevent 

 rapid evaporation. Give no water unless the soil becomes decidedly 

 dry, and then it is better to immerse the pot or pan for half 

 an hour than to apply water on the surface. When the plants 

 attain the third leaf they can be pricked off round the edges of 

 6o-pots (3|-inch). From these they may either have another shift 

 singly into small pots, or may be transferred direct to blooming 

 quarters. A high temperature is not requisite at any stage of growth, 



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